Clementine mandarin tree named ‘AECO1’

ABSTRACT

A new distinctive clementine mandarin tree variety named ‘AECO1’ particularly characterized by abiotic stress resistance, early harvest period, high productivity, a flattened fruit shape and the bright intense orange skin color. The fruit shows a significant holding post maturity ability on tree for nearly 3 months (no puffing).

Latin name of the genus and species: Citrus x clementina.

Variety denomination: ‘AECO1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to a new and distinct variety of mandarin clementine tree, which is named ‘AECO1’. ‘AECO1’ is a mandarin clementine selection developed in Valencia, Spain, from an irradiated bud of the unpatented Citrus clementina ‘Clemenules’, which is a mutation of the unpatented Citrus clementina ‘Clementina Fina’ originating in Nules, Castellon, Spain.

‘AECO1’ originated as a single plant and was asexually reproduced by grafting budwood onto ‘Troyer’ (unpatented) rootstocks. ‘AECO1’ was selected and propagated as follows: Irradiation of budwood from ‘Clemenules’ trees was developed by using 40 Grays on the surface on the plant material of gamma irradiation from Cobalt-60 irradiation source. Buds from this irradiation were propagated onto rootstocks in a greenhouse located in Pego, Alicante, Spain, where the plants were grown to a size appropriate for field planting. These trees were planted in 2016 in a controlled, confidential field at a farm in Pego, Spain. Fruit on the trees was evaluated during three fruit cycles and several trees producing fruit were identified. Additional propagation of ‘AECO1’ were maintained in the greenhouse at the farm in Pego, Spain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel mandarin clementine variety having the characteristics described and illustrated herein. The variety, ‘AECO1’, is a mandarin clementine selection developed at a commercial farm in Alicante, Spain, from an irradiated bud of the unpatented mandarin cultivar ‘Clemenules’. ‘AECO1’ combines the early season maturity, moderated sized flattened shape fruit, and a bright intense reddish orange skin color. It further distinguishes itself by being very low seeded and easy to peel, featuring a resistance to temperature abiotic stress, and for the further characteristics to be detailed herein.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

Differences between ‘AECO1’ and the parent and similar variety ‘CLEMENULES’ are summarized below, as well as in Table 1.

-   -   1. Fruit time of maturity for consumption in ‘AECO1’ is earlier         than ‘Clemenules’ and presence of navel opening is occasionally         present in the former and absent in the latter.     -   2. Fruit main color of flesh in ‘AECO1’ is dark orange with a         strong surface glossiness while ‘Clemenules’ shows a medium         orange color and a weak surface glossiness.     -   3. ‘AECO1’ shows a significant high temperature resistance         whereas ‘Clemenules’ resistance is moderate and there is no         puffing on tree in ‘AECO1’'s fruit while puffing happens in         ‘Clemenules’ fruit on tree.     -   4. Presence of areola in ‘AECO1’ is absent while in ‘Clemenules’         is incomplete, displaying the former a medium strength of         segment walls when the latter exposes a strong strength of         segment walls.     -   5. Concerning colors, the albedo in ‘AECO1’ is light whitish         yellow, rind color is medium orange and adherence weak; in         ‘Clemenules’, albedo is white and the rind color is pale orange         with a strong rind adherence.     -   6. Pollen viability in ‘AECO1’ is absent with an average of less         than one seed per fruit, contrasting ‘Clemenules’ high pollen         viability high with an average of twenty to forty seeds per         fruit.     -   7. ‘AECO1’ distinguishes itself by being very low seeded (<1         seed per fruit) differing from ‘Clemenules’ which will set as         many as about 10 seeds in cross-pollinated situations.

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘AECO1’ with ‘Clemenules’ Characteristic ‘AECO1’ ‘CLEMENULES’ Anther color white yellow Anther: pollen viability absent present Pollen viability low (<10% High germination) Fruit oil glands Present, evenly Absent sized General rind color Orange Medium pale orange Maturity Early October Mid October Fruit: color of albedo RHS Yellow-White RHS White 155A 158A Fruit: rind adherence Weak Strong Seeds/fruit Average less than 1 20-40 Leaf blade: shape in cross Straight or Intermediate section weakly concave Fruit: position of broadest part: Towards distal end At middle Fruit: presence of areola Absent Incomplete Fruit: presence of navel Occasionally Absent opening present Fruit surface: glossiness Strong Weak (shininess) Fruit: general main color Dark orange Medium orange of flesh Fruit: strength of segment walls Medium Strong Time of maturity of fruit for Early to mid-season Mid-season consumption Resistant to high temperatures High Moderate Puffing Not puffing Puffing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical samples of vegetative growth of 4-year old specimens of the new variety, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this character. Plants were grown in Alicante, Spain. Colors in the photograph may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description below, which accurately describes the colors of the new Clementine.

FIG. 1 illustrates flowers of ‘AECO1’.

FIG. 2 illustrates fruits of ‘AECO1’.

FIG. 3 illustrates a tree of ‘AECO1’.

FIG. 4 illustrates foliage of ‘AECO1’.

COMPARISON WITH KNOWN VARIETIES

The new variety ‘AECO1’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety ‘Marisol’. ‘AECO1’ differs from ‘Marisol’ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘AECO1’ has no viable pollen, ‘Marisol’ has a moderate amount         of viable pollen.     -   2. Fruit rind color of ‘AECO1’ is darker than fruit rind color         of ‘Marisol’.

The new variety ‘AECO1’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety ‘Arrufatina’. ‘AECO1’ differs from ‘Arrufatina’ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘AECO1’ has no viable pollen, ‘Arrufatina’ has a moderate         amount of viable pollen.     -   2. Fruit rind color of ‘AECO1’ is much darker than fruit rind         color of ‘Arrufatina’.     -   3. Fruit maturity of ‘AECO1’ begins approximately 2 weeks         earlier than ‘Arrufatina’.

The new variety ‘AECO1’ can be compared to the commercial variety ‘Clemenpons’ (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0135903 P1, abandoned). ‘AECO1’ differs from ‘Clemenpons’ in the following:

-   -   1. ‘AECO1’ has no viable pollen, ‘Clemenpons’ has an abundant         amount of viable pollen.     -   2. Fruit rind color of ‘AECO1’ is darker than fruit rind color         of ‘Clemenpons’.     -   3. Fruit maturity of ‘AECO1’ begins approximately 2 weeks         earlier than ‘Clemenpons’.     -   4. Rind adherence is weak in the new variety; rind adherence is         strong in this comparator.     -   5. The new variety ‘AECO1’ is not susceptible to “puffing”, as         is ‘Clemenpons’. “Puffing” is defined as a condition where fruit         segments become loosened from the interior skin surface and the         fruit in its entirety becomes soft in feel and appearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Evaluation of ‘AECO1’ began on the original tree at the farm in Alicante, Spain 2016. Tree size, growth and fruit production characteristics and fruit quality characteristics have been compared to ‘Clemenules’ from the same location. ‘AECO1’ trees have also been evaluated for three years at the same location.

The tree size and growth characteristics of ‘AECO1’ have been consistent with ‘Clemenules’ throughout the whole evaluation. The tree height reached an average of 2 meters high with a 2.5 meter dense crown diameter, displaying a moderately vigorous aspect. An upright trunk with a circumference of 35 cm and a smooth surface texture, covered by a brown bark (RHS N199A). Thorniness is absent. Tree growth habit is upright with production commencing in the second year after planting. Alternate bearing does not appear to be a problem of any significance while evidencing resistance to abiotic stress.

The branching arrangement is alternate with an amount from 2 to 7 lateral branches at an angle from main trunk of 115° C. to 140° C. Foliage displays a straight or weakly concave shape with an acute apex, and a medium mature leaf blade length of 8.5 cm and 3.5 cm width, showing an upper green leaf color (RHS 137A) and a green under leaf color (RHS 143A). A short petiole length of 0.8 millimeters, a width of 0.4 mm in a green color (RHS 143A) and smooth texture.

Fruit size is similar to ‘Clemenules’, approximately 58 mm diameter, 38 mm in height, averaging approximately 80 grams per fruit. Fruit is flattened in shape with a bright intense reddish orange rind color (RHS 28A) and a smooth rind texture, with an occasional navel presence and a hollow axis structure. Rind adherence and separation is weak, thickness is approximately 3 mm and the albedo is light whitish yellow (RHS 158A) with a 2 mm loose thickness.

Fruit flesh (pulp) color is dark orange (RHS 25A) and finely textured. There is an absence of fruit neck and style, showing oil glands with roughly all more or less the same size. Fruit weight averages 80 g and the inflorescence is absent. (See Summarized fruit characteristics in Table 3).

Fruit number of seeds (controlled manual self-pollination) is absent or very few, the number of seeds/fruit (cross-pollinated conditions) is of <1 on average. The seeds are “mono-embryonic” (there is absence of polyembryony). Regarding color palette of seeds: the external coat is yellowish white RHS 157A, the cotyledon yellowish green (RHS 145C), the inner coat color is a medium brown (RHS N199C), weight averages 2 grams per seed, with a length of 1.5 cm and a width of 0.7 cm and a core diameter of 0.5 cm. ‘AECO1’ distinguishes itself by being very low seeded (<1 seed per fruit) in all situations of cross-pollination.

Flowering habit is once per year, showing a complete flower structure and a size of 1.2 cm approx. Petal and anther colors are white (RHS 155B White) presenting an absence in pollen viability. Peduncles are strong and ribbed, with a length of 0.5 cm and diameter of 0.4 cm, at an approximate 40° to the lateral branch angle. Peduncle color is Green (RHS 140D) and calyx shapes displays a slightly rounded shape.

Fruit is juicy, with a rich sweet flavor when mature. The fruit is relatively easy to peel with 136% soluble solids (at maturity) a high percentage of juice (55%) and a medium acidity at maturity. Fruit quality after storage is excellent, approximately 30 days at 5° C.

In Pego, Alicante ‘AECO1’, fruit matures from October until late December. ‘AECO1’ holds its fruit quality characteristics in tree 75 days past maturity. The temperature ranges at the Pego Farm oscillates from 40° C. to 0° C. during the day and from 25° C. to 0° C. at nighttime. The tree of the new variety ‘AECO1’ evidenced a major resistance to extreme temperature of over 40° being also more efficient under average normal temperature.

The general soil condition at the farm in Pego is clay loamy. The trees of the new variety ‘AECO1’ displayed a resistance to abiotic stress beyond ‘Clemenules’ trees, evidencing a major resistance in the same soil conditions.

All major color code designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart designations. The chart used in the identification of colors is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 2015 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions in full sunlight.

The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) color numbering system is used herein for the color description of the rind, seed bark, leaf, flower, flesh color and other interest of the ‘AECO1’ tree.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Botanical classification: Citrus clementina ‘AECO1’.

TABLE 2 Tree, leaf, and seed characteristics ‘AECO1’ for 4-year-old tree. Tree height 2 m Crown Density: Dense Crown diameter 2.50 m Crown shape Globular Quantity of Lateral Branches 2 to 7 Branching Angle of Lateral 115° to 140° Branches from Main Trunk: Arrangement: Alternate Trunk circumference 35 cm Trunk surface texture Smooth Rootstock-scion compatibility No incompatibility known Tree vigor Moderately vigorous Bark color RHS N199A Grey-Brown Leaf arrangement Asymmetric Leaf aspect Straight or weakly concave Leaf Margin Entire, or irregular, shallow, infrequent crenations Leaf shape Narrow ovate Leaf blade length 8.5 cm medium Leaf blade width 3.5 cm medium Leaf apex Acute Mature Leaf upper color RHS 137A Green Mature Leaf under color RHS 143A Green Petiole length 0.8 mm Petiole width 0.4 mm Petiole color RHS 143A Green Petiole Texture: Smooth Petiole Wings Absent Thorniness Absent Inflorescence type Single occurring flowers. Flowering habit Flowers once per year, Flowering occurs between February 20 until May 5 in Pego, Alicante. Flower size 1.2 cm Flower fragrance: Moderate Calyx size: 57 mm Calyx shape: Slightly rounded Calyx color: RHS 149C Yellow-Green Calyx texture: Slightly rough Flower structure Complete Petal color RHS 155B White Petal Quantity: 4 Petal arrangement: Symmetrical, not overlapping Length: 0.92 cm Width: 0.45 cm Stamen length: 57 mm Anther color RHS 155B White Pollen viability Non-viable Pistil length: 57 mm

TABLE 3 Fruit characteristics of ‘AECO1’ Averages Fruit shape Flattened sphere Fruit diameter 58 mm Fruit height 38 mm Fruit weight 80 gr Fruit: shape of distal end Flattened Fruit neck Absent Style Non-persistent. Rind texture Smooth Oil glands Present, consistently sized Fruit: color of flesh RHS 25A Orange Fruit: main color of skin RHS 28A Orange. Fruit areola Not present Rind thickness 3 mm, medium Albedo thickness 2 mm, loose Albedo color RHS 158A Yellow-White Albedo quantity adhering to flesh Absent or very small Albedo strands Very small Rind adherence Weak Rind separation Weak Flesh (pulp) texture Medium Number of segments 11-13 Rudimentary segments Absent, or very rare Fruit juice vesicle size Medium Axis: structure Hollow Navel presence Occasionally present Fruit: number of seeds (controlled Absent or few manual self-pollination) Quantity of seeds/fruit(cross- <1 on average pollinated conditions) Seed: polyembryony Absent (Mono embryonic) Seed external coat RHS 157A Green-White Seed cotyledon color RHS 145C Yellow-Green Seed inner coat color RHS N199C Grey-Brown Seed weight 2 grams Seed length 1.5 cm Seed width 0.7 cm Seed core diameter 0.5 cm Juice % High. 55% Soluble solids (at maturity) 136% Medium Acid (at maturity) Medium Season of maturity Early (October-late December) Productivity 80 to 150 kilos per tree Fruit holding ability on tree past 75 days maturity Shipping quality Very good Fruit quality after storage Excellent (5° C., 30 days) Market use Fresh fruit 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Citrus tree named ‘AECO1’ as herein illustrated and described. 